Evolutionary explanations for partner preference
Partner preference
The evolutionary explanations for partner preference includes the relationship between
sexual selection and human reproductive behaviours. Sexual selection is the process of
choosing a mating partner in order to continue your gene line.
Adaptive traits
An aspect of the developmental pattern which facilitates the survival and/or
reproduction of its carrier in a certain succession of environments.
Inter-sexual selection
Preferred strategy of the female. They value quality over quantity, and as such have a
preference for members of the opposite sex with certain genetic qualities. Women are
more likely to pick a partner who is genetically fit and willing to offer the maximum
resources to raise their offspring.
Reproductive success
Females lose more resources so require a genetically fit, high status, resourceful man.
Traits that increase reproductive success are more likely so survive and be passed onto
future generations, eg strength, height, aggression, wide hips etc confer an evolutionary
advantage.
Intra-sexual selection
The preferred strategy of the male. They value quantity over quality. To succeed, men
must compete with other males to present themselves as the most attractive mate,
encouraging features such as muscles which indicate to the opposite sex an ability to
protect both them and their offspring.
Anisogamy
Anisogamy suggests that men’s best evolutionary strategy is to have as many partners as
possible. According to this theory, partner preference is determined by anisogamy which
are the differences between male and female sex cells and result in different strategies
for reproductive success.
Male-female dimorphism
Over time intra-sexual selection can lead to male-female dimorphism which is an
accentuation of secondary sexual characteristics in those with greater reproductive
fitness.
Supporting evidence: Buss → Men value physical
attractiveness + youth → Women value financial security
Singh → Men favour the ‘perfect waist-hip ratio’.
One strength in support of Intra sexual selection is Buss who found men valued physical
attractiveness and youth in females, supporting the concept that males seek fertility and
reproductive success in females. Whereas, females value financial security in males to
ensure they can support and provide for a family. This shows that women are looking for
investment in the small number of children they will have, whereas males are looking for
Partner preference
The evolutionary explanations for partner preference includes the relationship between
sexual selection and human reproductive behaviours. Sexual selection is the process of
choosing a mating partner in order to continue your gene line.
Adaptive traits
An aspect of the developmental pattern which facilitates the survival and/or
reproduction of its carrier in a certain succession of environments.
Inter-sexual selection
Preferred strategy of the female. They value quality over quantity, and as such have a
preference for members of the opposite sex with certain genetic qualities. Women are
more likely to pick a partner who is genetically fit and willing to offer the maximum
resources to raise their offspring.
Reproductive success
Females lose more resources so require a genetically fit, high status, resourceful man.
Traits that increase reproductive success are more likely so survive and be passed onto
future generations, eg strength, height, aggression, wide hips etc confer an evolutionary
advantage.
Intra-sexual selection
The preferred strategy of the male. They value quantity over quality. To succeed, men
must compete with other males to present themselves as the most attractive mate,
encouraging features such as muscles which indicate to the opposite sex an ability to
protect both them and their offspring.
Anisogamy
Anisogamy suggests that men’s best evolutionary strategy is to have as many partners as
possible. According to this theory, partner preference is determined by anisogamy which
are the differences between male and female sex cells and result in different strategies
for reproductive success.
Male-female dimorphism
Over time intra-sexual selection can lead to male-female dimorphism which is an
accentuation of secondary sexual characteristics in those with greater reproductive
fitness.
Supporting evidence: Buss → Men value physical
attractiveness + youth → Women value financial security
Singh → Men favour the ‘perfect waist-hip ratio’.
One strength in support of Intra sexual selection is Buss who found men valued physical
attractiveness and youth in females, supporting the concept that males seek fertility and
reproductive success in females. Whereas, females value financial security in males to
ensure they can support and provide for a family. This shows that women are looking for
investment in the small number of children they will have, whereas males are looking for
